Model year guide

1997 Toyota Camry

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1997 Toyota Camry is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 94 on record.

1997 Toyota Camry at a glance

Safety recalls4
Owner complaints587
Combined22 mpg
Typical price$1,362

Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.

1997 Toyota Camry recalls 4

Exterior Lighting:headlights NHTSA Campaign #09E025000 · 11/05/2009

DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Fix: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.

Steering: Steering Wheel/handle Bar NHTSA Campaign #99V307000 · 01/11/1999

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE STEERING WHEEL SET NUT MAY NOT HAVE BEEN SUFFICIENTLY TIGHTENED CAUSING STEERING VIBRATION AND LOOSENESS.

Fix: DEALERS WILL TIGHTEN THE STEERING WHEEL SET NUT.

Electrical System:ignition NHTSA Campaign #97V213000 · 20/11/1997

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. DUE TO A POSSIBLE JAMMING OF THE LOCK PIN OF THE KEY INTERLOCK SOLENOID, IT IS POSSIBLE TO REMOVE THE IGNITION KEY EVEN WHEN THE SHIFT LEVER OF THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION IS NOT IN THE "PARK" POSITION.

Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE KEY INTERLOCK SOLENOID.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist NHTSA Campaign #97V156000 · 17/09/1997

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF ALASKA, COLORADO, IDAHO, ILLINOIS, IOWA, KANSAS, MAINE, MICHIGAN,MINNESOTA, MONTANA, NEBRASKA, NEVADA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW YORK, NOTH DAKOTA, SOUTH DAKOTA, VERMONT, WISCONSIN, AND WYOMING. A CONDITION CAN OCCUR WHERE ACCUMULATED MOISTURE CAN TEMPORARILY FREEZE IN THE BRAKE VACUUM HOSE IF THE VEHICLE IS USED IN EXTREMEL…

Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW DESIGN BRAKE VACUUM HOSE.

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A recall applies to a model year, but only a VIN check shows whether a specific car has had the repair done.

1997 Toyota Camry common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 587 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Engine
Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.
Service Brakes
Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.
Air Bags
Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Steering
Steering should be tight and centered — no play, clunks or wandering. Test at low and highway speed; listen for power-steering whine.
Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.

1997 Toyota Camry MPG & running costs

Combined22 mpg
City19 mpg
Highway27 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$2,875

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov, averaged across trims.

What's a 1997 Toyota Camry worth?

Low
$600
Typical price
$1,362
High
$2,000

From 88 comparable 1997 Toyota Camry listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 1997 Toyota Camry costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$14,375
Depreciation (5 yrs)$300
Total$14,675
Per mile$0.20

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. Depreciation compares today's typical asking price for this model year ($1,362) with the same model 5 model-years older ($1,058), from CarLogs listing data. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

1997 Toyota Camry trims & engines on record

Trims
LE · LE V6 · CE · XLE
Engines
2.2L 4-cyl 130 hp · 3.0L 6-cyl 184 hp · 2.2L 4-cyl 133 hp · 3.0L 6-cyl 200 hp

1997 Toyota Camry vehicles on record

1997 Toyota Camry LEJT2BG22K3V0093353 1997 Toyota Camry 1997 Toyota Camry LE4T1BG22K9VU026638 1997 Toyota Camry 1997 Toyota Camry LE4T1BG22K7VU112773 1997 Toyota Camry 1997 Toyota Camry CE4T1BG22K6VU171913 1997 Toyota Camry 1997 Toyota Camry LE4T1BG22K9VU146150 1997 Toyota Camry 1997 Toyota Camry LE4T1BG22K1VU038041 1997 Toyota Camry LE V64T1BF22K2VU904882 1997 Toyota Camry 1997 Toyota Camry LE4T1BG22K7VU811577 1997 Toyota Camry 1997 Toyota Camry LE4T1BG22K2VU163971 1997 Toyota Camry 1997 Toyota Camry LE4T1BG22K9VU755402 1997 Toyota Camry 1997 Toyota Camry LE4T1BG22K0VU794542 1997 Toyota Camry 1997 Toyota Camry CE4T1BG22K7VU170687 1997 Toyota Camry 1997 Toyota Camry LE V64T1BF22K4VU900039 1997 Toyota Camry 1997 Toyota Camry LE4T1BG22K0VU149163 1997 Toyota Camry 1997 Toyota Camry LE V64T1BF22K5VU031743 1997 Toyota Camry 1997 Toyota Camry LE4T1BG22K3VU065659 1997 Toyota Camry 1997 Toyota Camry LE4T1BG22K6VU041615 1997 Toyota Camry 1997 Toyota Camry LE4T1BG22K0VU112548 1997 Toyota Camry 1997 Toyota Camry LEJT2BG22K3V0005093 1997 Toyota Camry 1997 Toyota Camry XLE4T1BG22K3VU120790 1997 Toyota Camry 1997 Toyota Camry LE4T1BG22K0VU132606 1997 Toyota Camry 1997 Toyota Camry LE4T1BG22KXVU792572 1997 Toyota Camry 1997 Toyota Camry LE4T1BG22K1VU812076 1997 Toyota Camry 1997 Toyota Camry LE V64T1BF22K3VU909458

Other Toyota Camry model years

2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990 1989 1987

1997 Toyota Camry — frequently asked questions

Does the 1997 Toyota Camry have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls for the 1997 Toyota Camry. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

What are the most common problems with the 1997 Toyota Camry?

Based on 587 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are engine, service brakes, air bags.

What gas mileage does the 1997 Toyota Camry get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 1997 Toyota Camry at about 22 mpg combined (19 city / 27 highway).

How much is a 1997 Toyota Camry worth?

Comparable 1997 Toyota Camry listings run roughly $600–$2,000, typically around $1,362 (from 88 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.